Biden gets high marks from Obama supporters

Font Size:

By Becky Malkovich and Kenneth Lowe | Saturday, August 23, 2008 10:55 PM CDT | () comments

From the grass-roots members of the Democratic Party to Illinois’ top elected officials, Barack Obama’s choice of Joe Biden as his running mate earned a resounding thumbs-up Saturday.

Joining an estimated 35,000 supporters and onlookers at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Robb McCoy, a 31-year-old Chenoa, Ill., resident called Biden a “safe choice.”

“It strengthened the perceived weaknesses that Obama has with experience,” he said.

Melissa Cornell of Springfield, among the many who fought off hot and humid weather to watch the event, said she liked Biden during the early days of the presidential campaign.

“He is an excellent choice and an excellent representation of Barack’s judgment,” she said. “Biden tells it the way it is. He’s straightforward, and I think that’s what Barack wants.”

Camden, Ill., resident Charles Clayton said Biden, the U.S. senator from Delaware, helps fill a void in Obama’s resume.

“Foreign policy is viewed as Obama’s weakness, and Biden brings 30 years of experience in that area,” he added.

Springfield resident Bridget Devlin agreed.

“I’m just getting to know Biden, but he is going to be strong in foreign policy, and I think he will speak his mind and tell the truth,” she said.

Big Labor sounded a positive note, too.

Earlier this week, Michael Carrigan of Decatur, the president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, said he was polled by Obama’s union supporters about the vice presidential pick. Carrigan told them Biden would be the best selection.

“He’s a well-seasoned pro who brings strength to the ticket,” Carrigan said. “I think it was an excellent choice.”

Matt Smith, the international representative for the Midwest region of the Laborers’ International Union, and a Springfield resident, said Biden is a “great” pick. “He brings the unity we need to look forward to November.”

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias called the choice “a great decision.”

“We’ve heard uniformly from Democrats throughout the country that they’re excited about Sen. Biden and his experience and that he works well with Barack. They have a tremendous amount of respect for each other,” Giannoulias said.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Obama’s Illinois colleague in the Senate, said Biden’s experience will be an asset to the campaign.

“Biden has a wealth of experience working on domestic and foreign policies. He really is a great person to have on your side to draw on his experience,” Durbin added.

Julia Haptonstahl, 20, of suburban Oak Park, Ill., stayed Friday night with her aunt in Springfield in order to attend the early afternoon event.

“I think he made a good choice,” she said.

Joetta Jefferson, 56, of Chicago, an Obama supporter since his 2004 run for the U.S. Senate, said Biden is an excellent choice because of his candid debate style and his experience in foreign affairs.

“I like the way Joe Biden cuts through all the spin,” Jefferson said. “I just like the way he, during the debates, just cuts to the chase.”

Becky Malkovich of the Southern Illinoisan can be contacted at (618) 927-5633 or beckymalk@gmail.com. Kenneth Lowe of the Decatur Herald & Review can be contacted at Kenneth.lowe@lee.net.